The Effect of a New Angiographic Imaging Technology on Radiation Dose in Visceral Embolization Procedures

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a new angiographic imaging technology on radiation dose during visceral embolization procedures involving both fluoroscopy and digital subtraction angiography. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis from a single-center consecutive series of patients was performed comparing 2 angiographic imaging systems. The AlluraClarity (CIQ; Philips Healthcare, Best, the Netherlands) was used in 100 patients (n = 59 male, mean age: 70.6 years) from July 2013 to April 2014 and compared to the former AlluraXper (AX) technology used in 139 patients (n = 71 male, mean age: 70.1 years) from May 2011 to June 2013. Patients were categorized according to body mass index (BMI [kg/m²]) - group 1: BMI <25, group 2: BMI ≥25 and <30, and group 3: BMI ≥30. Fluoroscopy time, the total dose of iodinated contrast administered, and procedural AirKerma (Ka, r [mGy]) were obtained. Results: Mean BMI was 26.4 ± 5.0 kg/m² in the CIQ and 26.4 ± 7.1 kg/m² in the AX group (P =.93). Fluoroscopy time and the amount of contrast media were equally distributed. Ka, r was 1342.9 mGy versus 2214.8 mGy (P <.001, t test) when comparing CIQ to AX. Comparing CIQ to AX, BMI subgroup analysis revealed a mean Ka, r of 970.1 to 1586.1 mGy (P =.003, t test), 1484.7 to 2170.1 mGy (P =.02, t test), and 1848.8 to 3348.9 mGy (P =.001, t test) in BMI groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Conclusion: The CIQ technology significantly reduced mean radiation dose by 39.4% for visceral embolization procedures when compared to fluoroscopy time and contrast media dose. This dose relationship was consistent across all BMI groups.